Keyboard Shortcuts

A Canadian customer was calling to find out if there was a

faster way to trigger menu commands than mousing up to the

menus. Agent: “Certainly, sir. There are keyboard

shortcuts for many of those commands. For example, suppose

you want to trigger the Select All command.” Caller:

“Yes, I use that one all the time! How do I do it?”

Agent: “Well, you just press Control-A.” Caller (after a

pause): “Well, that’s not working for me.” Agent:

“Do you have a text document open in front of you?”

Caller: “Yes, I sure do.” Agent: “OK, now press

Control-A.” Caller: “I am, but nothing happens.”

Agent: “The text isn’t highlighted?” Caller: “No,

there’s no change at all.” Agent: “That’s odd. If

you press Control-A the whole document should be

highlighted. Try it again. Press Control-A. Tell me exactly

what’s happening.” Caller (nearing his Canadian breaking

point): “Listen. I’m pressing Control, eh? And

nothing’s happening, eh?”